The Ecologist's Hat

Mayor Clements spots Gaius immediately.

Oh yes, that's him.

He recognises Gaius from the Wikipedia portrait, which Mayor Clements has prudently googled.

The local school band starts to play.

De-der de DER DER der DER DER de-der......

What is it ? It sounds like the French Marseillaise.

Welcome to KI!  says Mayor Clements, as Gaius descends the gangplank.

Thank you, says Gaius. I wasn't expecting a welcome.

It's not every day Kangaroo Island plays host to three eminent ecologists, says Mayor Clements.

Three? says Gaius. They are hardly.... well, it's most kind.

Where are the other two gentlemen? asks Mayor Clements.

Here, behind me says Gaius, turning round.

But Sweezus and Arthur are back somewhere retrieving the bicycles and surfboards, and cannot be located.

Is that the Marseillaise I'm hearing? asks Gaius.

Dear me, yes, says Mayor Clements. Our band leader searched the internet, but couldn't discover the music to the Roman national anthem.

There isn't one, says Gaius. Perhaps he didn't realise that Rome is a city.

Yes of course, says Mayor Clements. So we decided on the Marseillaise, as a second choice, to honour Jacques Cousteau. We thought David Suzuki would appreciate it too, being Canadian.

Gaius is puzzled, but too polite to say so. Besides, he likes the Marseillaise as much as anyone.

Sweezus and Arthur appear, wheeling three bikes, and balancing two surfboards.

Here they are now, says Gaius.

Ha ha, laughs Mayor Clements. I don't think so.

This welcome is for me, boys, says Gaius. And the band is playing the Marseillaise because they wish to honour Jacques Cousteau and David Suzuki.

Who should be here too, but appear not to be, says Mayor Clements.

They'll be along tomorrow, says Arthur. On the ferry. Tomorrow. Didn't their people tell you?

No, says Mayor Clements. Tomorrow you say?

This is good news, says Gaius.

If you say so, says Mayor Clements. I assume you'll be staying in Penneshaw?

No, says Gaius. I shall be heading straight for the Emu Bay Shale, your Cambrian fossil site.

Not the usual destination for an ecologist, says Mayor Clements.

I wear many hats, says Gaius. Thank you for the welcome, but we must be on our way. Work to do. Which reminds me, is there anywhere we might obtain a pencil sharpener?

My office has a drawer full, says Mayor Clements. Send one of your boys over.

Arthur, says Gaius. You go.

Arthur goes off with Mayor Clements, to pick up a sharpener.

Sweezus waits on Bay Terrace with Gaius.

David Suzuki, says Gaius. I haven't seen him since Paris.

Yeah? says Sweezus. How did he look?

Quite chipper, says Gaius.

Ever met Jacques Cousteau? asks Sweezus.

No, says Gaius. I didn't realise he was still... er...about....but if he's coming tomorrow, he must be.

Yes, he must be.

Sweezus suspects Arthur hasn't thought out how to deal with that problem.